Housing (Homeownership)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 11, 2026

HB 2732: An Act amending the act of July 7, 1947 (P.L.1368, No.542), known as the Real Estate Tax Sale Law, in sale of property, providing for protection of senior homeowners experiencing financial hardship.

Pennsylvania House Bill 2732 amends the Real Estate Tax Sale Law to prevent the forced sale of homes owned by seniors who are experiencing financial hardship. To qualify, an individual must be at least 65 years old, live in the property as their primary residence, and demonstrate that their household income is at or below the federal poverty level or that they face significant obstacles such as high medical costs or caregiving duties. If a homeowner applies for this protection before a court confirms a tax sale, the county tax bureau must pause all sale proceedings and work with the owner to create a written repayment plan for the delinquent taxes. This protection remains in effect until the property is sold, it is no longer the owner's primary home, or the owner passes away, though the estate may continue the repayment plan for up to twelve months after the owner's death.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prevents forced sale of homes for seniors in financial hardship, directly protecting property rights and housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Property Taxes Tags Seniors

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2445: An Act amending the act of June 27, 1996 (P.L.403, No.58), known as the Community and Economic Development Enhancement Act, providing for Office of Housing Opportunity.

This bill creates a new Office of Housing Opportunity within Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development to oversee housing production goals. The office will be led by a Deputy Secretary appointed by the Governor and will work with other state agencies to develop and meet ten-year housing targets. A new advisory committee will be formed to guide the office, including representatives from the General Assembly, local governments, and housing experts. The office will also manage a grant program for residential economic development districts and publish annual reports on housing progress.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a new Office of Housing Opportunity to oversee housing production goals and set ten-year housing targets, directly advancing housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SR 278: A Resolution recognizing the month of April 2026 as "Fair Housing Month" in Pennsylvania and designating April 30, 2026, as "Affordable Homeownership Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates April 2026 as "Fair Housing Month" and April 30, 2026, as "Affordable Homeownership Day" in Pennsylvania to honor the legacy of the Fair Housing Act and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The bill directly affects the state's residents, financial institutions, community organizations, and local governments by encouraging them to promote equitable lending and remove barriers to homeownership. It formally commends the National Association of Real Estate Brokers for its work in expanding housing access for Black families and underserved communities. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about housing disparities rather than implementing new laws or funding programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes fair housing and affordable homeownership by designating awareness months, encouraging equitable lending and removing barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 876: An Act providing for the Pennsylvania Home Preservation Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

SB 876 establishes Pennsylvania's Home Preservation Grant Program, which provides funding to local governments (counties, cities, townships) to rehabilitate existing owner-occupied housing. The program requires grants to address habitability, improve energy/water efficiency, or increase accessibility for units owned by households earning no more than 120% of the area median income. Grants cannot exceed $50,000 per unit and may cover up to 10% of funds for administrative costs. Local governments must apply with detailed plans showing how funds will meet these requirements, with applications reviewed by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for housing rehabilitation grants targeting low-income households (≤120% AMI), directing budget resources toward affordable housing program as a public service.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds energy efficiency improvements in housing rehabilitation for low-income households, directly advancing energy efficiency goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes grant program funding rehab of affordable housing units (≤120% AMI) for habitability, efficiency, and accessibility, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Historic Preservation Homeownership

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 214: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in realty transfer tax, further providing for excluded transactions; and, in local real estate transfer tax, further providing for imposition.

HB 214 amends Pennsylvania's realty transfer tax code to exclude first-time home buyers from paying the state transfer tax on purchases of single-family residences. It defines "first-time home buyer" as someone who has never owned any single-family home (including manufactured homes or condos) in Pennsylvania or another state, resides in the property, and is domiciled there. The exclusion applies only when all individuals named on the deed qualify as first-time buyers. Local governments (like cities or townships) cannot apply this exclusion to their separate real estate transfer taxes, which remain applicable. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes first-time homebuyers from realty transfer tax, providing tax relief for middle-income buyers, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes first-time home buyers from transfer tax, lowering purchase costs and promoting affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Property Taxes

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 275: An Act providing for grants to subsidize home ownership; establishing the Pennsylvania Affordable Homeownership Subsidy Program; imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development; and providing for report to General Assembly.

HB 275 establishes the Pennsylvania Affordable Homeownership Subsidy Program to help low-to-moderate-income households buy homes. It provides grants (capped at $125,000 per county applicant) for specific projects like homebuyer assistance, property acquisition, and homeownership education, targeting households earning 60%-120% of the area median income (as defined by HUD). The Department of Community and Economic Development will administer the program, set application guidelines, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly on program outcomes. The bill requires sufficient state funding to activate the program, with an effective date 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState allocates funds via new homeownership subsidy program targeting low-income households, increasing public spending on housing assistance.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingHB 275 creates a grant program (capped at $125k/county) to subsidize home purchases for low-to-moderate-income households (60-120% AMI), directly advancing affordable housing access through funding and homeownership assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 803: An Act providing for the establishment of first-time homebuyer savings accounts for first-time homebuyers in this Commonwealth; establishing the First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Program and the First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Fund; and imposing duties on the Treasury Department.

SB 803, the First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account Act, creates a program allowing Pennsylvania residents who have never owned a home (first-time homebuyers) to open tax-advantaged savings accounts. The Treasury Department will administer the program using existing structures (like the ABLE Program), enabling account holders to save for down payments and closing costs on single-family homes. Funds in the accounts can only be used for eligible home purchase expenses, with the program funded by account contributions and earnings - not state debt. This bill directly affects first-time homebuyers seeking to save for homeownership within Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax-advantaged savings accounts for first-time homebuyers, providing tax relief to middle-income residents through state-administered program.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax-advantaged savings accounts for down payments/closing costs, directly enabling first-time homebuyers to access homeownership.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Homeownership

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 815: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in realty transfer tax, further providing for excluded transactions; and, in local real estate transfer tax, further providing for imposition.

SB 815 adds an exclusion to Pennsylvania’s state real estate transfer tax for first-time home buyers purchasing single-family residences. It directly affects individuals who have never owned a single-family home (including mobile homes or condos) in Pennsylvania or another state and will reside in the property. The bill defines "first-time home buyer" as someone living in Pennsylvania, domiciled in the home, and without prior ownership of similar properties. This exclusion applies only to the state tax, not local real estate transfer taxes, and takes effect 60 days after enactment. The bill is currently pending in committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for first-time home buyers by excluding them from real estate transfer tax, reducing burden on lower/middle-income residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExcludes first-time home buyers from real estate transfer tax, reducing purchase costs and promoting affordable homeownership for qualifying buyers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Homeownership Property Taxes

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 7, 2025

HB 1696: An Act amending the act of December 3, 1959 (P.L.1688, No.621), known as the Housing Finance Agency Law, establishing the Pennsylvania Lease with Guaranteed Purchase Option Home Ownership Program and the Pennsylvania Lease with Guaranteed Purchase Option Home Ownership Program Fund.

HB 1696 updates Pennsylvania's Housing Finance Agency Law to create a new program enabling low-to-moderate income renters to purchase homes through a lease-with-guaranteed-purchase-option model. The program allows tenants to lease a home for a set period, after which they have the right to buy it at a predetermined price. A dedicated "Pennsylvania Lease with Guaranteed Purchase Option Home Ownership Program Fund" will provide financial support to facilitate this initiative. This bill directly affects eligible renters seeking homeownership opportunities and aims to expand access to affordable housing through this specific lease-to-own mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund for low-income housing program, advancing government spending on affordable housing initiatives within budget framework.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a new homeownership program for low-to-moderate income renters via lease-to-purchase with a dedicated fund, directly advancing affordable housing access and owner-occupancy opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2025

HB 844: An Act amending the act of December 3, 1959 (P.L.1688, No.621), known as the Housing Finance Agency Law, establishing the Housing Construction Loan Program and the Housing Construction Loan Fund; and providing for duties of Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

HB 844 creates Pennsylvania's Housing Construction Loan Program and a dedicated Housing Construction Loan Fund under the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The program provides loans to eligible builders (those operating in Pennsylvania for at least three years) for constructing new homes sold to low- and moderate-income households, and to those households for financing such homes. Key provisions limit loans to 80% of a county’s median home price, cap terms at 15 years, and require all sales to remain affordable to target households. Funds for the program come from state appropriations, grants, and loan repayments, managed through the State Treasury.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates dedicated loan program funding construction of homes for low/moderate-income households, directly advancing affordable housing through financial support and program establishment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance

Track